JNU student missing for 12th day: Different versions of the mystery

Biotechnology student Najeeb Ahmad disappeared on October 15 after an alleged tiff with members of the RSS-backed ABVP at the Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Biotechnology student Najeeb Ahmad disappeared on October 15 after an alleged tiff with members of the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. It is alleged that on the night of October 14, Ahmad slapped ABVP activist Vikrant Kumar, who had come to his room at Mahi-Mandavi Hostel to campaign for the hostel polls.

Students sit outside the JNU administrative block after Najeeb Ahmad went missing from the university campus on October 15. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT File Photo)

The matter took an ugly turn after it was reported that Ahmad was beaten up. The issue was taken to the warden, who said Ahmad should shift to another hostel. The next morning he went missing.

Here’s a look at the versions on what happened before Ahmad went missing from JNU.

‘Najeeb was not beaten up by anyone’

Vikrant, a candidate for the hostel mess committee, went to Najeeb Ahmad’s room. Ahmad slapped Vikrant and made comments about a religious thread he was wearing. Security guards were called in and the matter was taken to the warden. There was a huge crowd which resulted in pushing around. But Najeeb was not beaten by anyone.

Combination image of Najeeb Ahmad (left) and Vikrant Kumar (right).

‘He was beaten while being taken to the warden’

No comments on slapping incident as union members were not present when the alleged incident happened. Ahmad was locked in the washroom to save him from angry crowd. He was beaten while being taken to the warden office by the security guards. Threatening comments were made against him.

Ahmad disappeared after an alleged altercation with members of ABVP.

‘Najeeb was attacked by students from different parties’

Vikrant said he was slapped. Najeeb accepted it but we don’t know why he slapped Vikrant. When I reached, he was in the washroom and people were trying to stop the angry crowd. Najeeb asked for forgiveness. When Najeeb was being taken to the warden, he was attacked by a group of students from different parties and not just ABVP. Those who were saving him, including JNUSU president, received some blows. Comments were made on Najeeb’s religious identity as well.

Last week, JNU students had held a 20-hour blockade of the university vice-chancellor and top officials inside a building on Thursday over Ahmad’s disappearance.

‘Najeeb was beaten by Vikrant and others’

I wasn’t in the room when Vikrant came. When I reached, I saw Najeeb was being beaten by Vikrant and others... I took him to Safdarjung Hospital but he refused to take treatment. I informed his mother. I had gone to the washroom when Najeeb left the room.

The Left-controlled JNU student union has alleged the university was doing little to trace Ahmad and punish members of the ABVP.

What JNU administration is saying

After the first incident, Najeeb was transferred to another hostel. Later, students complained of violence prompting the varsity to constitute a committee to investigate the incident.

What the police are saying

Vikrant went to Ahmad’s room to campaign. Ahmad allegedly slapped Vikrant... The JNUSU president and other witnesses too found Ahmad’s fault and he was asked to leave the hostel by October 21.

Read | JNU protesters call off 20-hour blockade of vice-chancellor over missing student